Life has come full circle for Carnell “Cadillac” Williams.
A native of Gadsden, Ala., Williams was a superstar running back for Auburn University from 2001 to 2004.
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During his four seasons as a Tiger, he lost only once to the Crimson Tide. Williams was a two-time 1,000-yard rusher that carried patience, vision, speed, toughness, balance, and a knack for making plays. He competed against Louisiana State University during Nick Saban’s time there as a head coach. Saban had a chance to get Williams for the Miami Dolphins in the 2005 NFL Draft, but he choose his Auburn teammate, Ronnie Brown. Williams spent seven seasons in the National Football League with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005-10) and St. Louis Rams (2011) before getting into coaching. He is in his fourth season at his Alma mater as the running backs coach since 2019. Auburn fired Bryan Harsin this season and made Williams its interim head coach.
The Tigers have won back-to-back games since the decision, including a 13-10 victory over Texas A&M. Auburn is one win away from becoming bowl eligible. A victory over Saban and Alabama would put Williams in a bowl game as an interim coach at 6-6.
He may not be the person Auburn wants to be its next head coach, but the job Williams has done must be commended.
On Monday, Saban gave Williams high praise for what he has done for the Tigers.
Nick Saban has been impressed with Cadillac Williams’ coaching efforts as Auburn’s interim head coach. pic.twitter.com/droBNL7wwU
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 21, 2022
“He’s done a great job,” Saban said about Williams. “The energy, the enthusiasm, the way that players are competing, the way they play to win … That was his personality as a player. I remember when I was a coach at the Miami Dolphins, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac were both coming out in the same draft. We thought they were both great competitors, and he was a great competitor. I think his personality shows in the way his team competes.”
Williams has a chance to end Alabama’s regular-season streak of 10 wins this weekend.
The last time the Tide did not end a regular season with 10 wins came in 2010. It finished the regular season at 9-3 that year, but the Tide beat Michigan State in the bowl game for its 10th victory. Williams will have the Tigers fired up to play against Alabama.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
